Evening Post
Consultant psychiatrist who worked at Leeds Spire Hospital under investigation
By Georgina Morris
February 3, 2020

Psychiatrist – Malikayil Skaria Alexander

Malikayil Skaria Alexander was the subject of an interim order hearing held in October last year when a number of conditions were placed on his licence.

No information on the nature of the allegations under investigation has been published, but the conditions of the interim order include not contacting any patients via social media, not contacting patients outside working hours except in an emergency, and not carrying out consultations with anyone aged under 18.

Other conditions added to his licence to practise include that he must be supervised in all of his clinical posts by a clinical supervisor and must notify the GMC of any post he accepts before starting it.

Dr Alexander, who trained in India, first registered with the GMC in June 1977 and was admitted to the Royal College of Psychiatrists (RCP) in January 1980.

He is currently a fellow of the RCP and its Faculty of Forensic Psychiatry.

Dr Alexander told the YEP that it would not be appropriate for him to comment while the GMC investigation was ongoing, but he intended to give up his licence to practise from April 1 so that he could pursue other interests.

He said: “I have a great deal of respect for the GMC. They protect patients and support doctors.

“The GMC is doing a great job and it’s their duty to investigate. We have a duty to co-operate and all the doctors must.

“If somebody is found to be wrong, they should pay the penalty and if somebody is found to be innocent then their name should be cleared.”

Dr Alexander’s LinkedIn profile details how he worked at St James’ Hospital between September 1979 and 2008, and joined the team at Spire Leeds in August 2014.

It notes his status as a fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine, a member of the Expert Witness Institute and a life member of the Indian Psychiatric Society, as well as his time as an honorary senior lecturer in psychiatry at the University of Leeds between 1979 and 2007.

A spokesman for Spire said Dr Alexander was not currently practising at its hospitals.

He said: “We await the outcome of the GMC’s investigation. If any patient has any concerns about their care under Dr Alexander, they can email our dedicated team at leedshelpline@spirehealthcare.com.”